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Allegations
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One of the country's most
senior police officers has repeatedly told the High Court in Auckland that
allegations made by Louise Nicholas are lies. Assistant Police
Commissioner Clint Rickards, and former officers Bob Schollum and Brad
Shipton deny 20 charges of rape, indecent assault and sexual violation
against Nicholas in the 1980s. Rickards testified
before a court-room packed with supporters. He told the court that sex with
Louise Nicholas was consensual, that it was a fun and jovial time and it
happened on two occasions in the evening. He also denied ever
being involved in any group sex at the Rutland St police house or using a
police baton during sex. Rickards told the court
that Nicholas and her husband are lying when they say they saw him in uniform
during the period of the allegations. He said he was working in the CIB at
the time and wore plain clothes. On Tuesday afternoon
Rickards lawyer, John Haigh QC, told the court his client had consensual sex
with Louise Nicholas twice, but denies it involved a police baton or that it
amounted to rape. He said Nicholas had told calculated lies on oath and that
her evidence is made up of delusional recollections which are utterly false. The Crown finished
presenting its evidence against the three men on Tuesday morning. Louise Nicholas, her
husband and mother-in-law were among those who gave evidence last week. Both
Nicholas and her husband Ross were overcome by emotion while in the witness
box. Many of the witness
testimonies have been suppressed. |
